” In a fallen world, separation is a part of life. We can lose a parent to death or divorce. We can lose a best friend or a beloved pet . We can lose a job, a spouse, even a child. Everything was good a year ago, and now it seems like a tank has rolled through our yard and into our house” so said Sarah Young, author of the book entitled “JESUS ALWAYS” Bible Study Series, with Bible study and discussion questions written by Karen Lee- Thorp.
” Jesus understand how these losses affect us. He doesn’t minimize them. Yet instead of shielding His followers from the losses, He promises that we will have his love to hold onto in the midst of them and that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Friends and even family may turn away from us, but Jesus never will. That’s the first thing we need to know about His love: it’s INSEPARABLE from us. It will never go away. Nothing can drive a wedge between His love and His people. Not even the pain we feel when we lose something precious”, they added.
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“NOTHING IN ALL CREATION CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM MY LOVE”. Let’s pause and ponder what an astonishing promise this is. May I hasten to add, not only in this Lenten Season but throughout our lifetime.
Apparently, we live in a world where separations abound: WIVES from HUSBANDS, CHILDREN from PARENTS, FRIENDS from FRIENDS, CHILDHOOD DREAMS from ADULT REALITIES.
But here’s one TERRIBLE SEPARATION, God says, one will never have to FACE: ” ISOLATION FROM HIS LOVING PRESENCE”.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12 (NIV). Henceforth, Coleman and Mary Philipps in their book entitled, “YOUR SPIRITUAL ARSENAL” asked: ” Do you feel you are fighting an uphill battle in SPIRITUAL MATTERS? Are you trying to persevere with FAITH in a particular AREA of your LIFE?
Kenneth Copeland (Believer’s Voice VICTORY, Vol. 51, No. 3, March 2023) in his article entitled,” MORE THAN JUST A NAME “says, ” The DEVIL is TERRIFIED of the NAME OF JESUS. He has no option but to FLEE IN FEAR when that NAME is spoken by a BELIEVER who has FAITH in it carries all the AUTHORITY and POWER of JESUS HIMSELF”. Amen. Hallelujah.
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With due respect and for posterity’s sake, the breaking news penned and sent to this writer by no less than CatSU President Dr.Patrick Alain T. Azanza is hereby, presented en toto:
Gov Cua & CatSU Pres meet Taiwan investors, Uni officials for island progress In yet another unprecedented move to further promote the economic development of our Happy Island, Governor Joseph “Boboy” Cua tandems with CatSU President Dr. Patrick Azanza to attract Taiwanese investors to explore potentials of the soon to be opened CatSU Economic Zones in Virac and Panganiban Campuses, and convince Taiwan national university officials to partner with CatSU.
The duo, who spent personal funds for the private trip in lieu of an official visit that had to be rushed to accommodate the availability of the Taiwanese counterparts, were very much delighted as they were met by a number of highly interested investors led by no less than prominent leader Huang Ta-chou, former mayor (1990-1994) of the capital city of Taipei who served as Chairman of Taipei Olympic Committee (1998-2006), and successfully signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with top public universities of Taiwan that would pave the way for academic exchange for faculty and students; on-the-job trainings for CatSU students with pay; research collaboration; and joint capacity development initiatives.
“This joint effort by the PLGU and CatSU is primarily for the Catandunganons who will mainly benefit from the jobs that will be created by the businesses once Taiwanese investors come in. We were also able to convince the business owners to consider job opportunities for our islanders and even pay allowances to OJT students from CATSU who will travel to Taiwan,” shared Governor Cua who was accompanied by Ace Tria from the Provincial Agricultural Services.
On the other hand, CatSU President Azanza announced that the during the MOU signing with National Taichung University of Science and Technology and the National Chung Cheng University of Taiwan, it was agreed upon that at least six CatSU faculty members will be sent as scholars beginning September 2023 on full tuition fee waiver for those who will pursue their MA or PhD in Engineering, Sciences, Education, Business, and Languages in any of the two national universities of Taiwan.
Trainings on high impact technology and smart agriculture shall also be made available to CatSU students and faculty. Joint degree offerings as part of transnational academic initiatives and the internationalization of education shall also form part of the agreement.
Overall, both Governor Cua and CatSU President Azanza declared that the trip was very fruitful as the Taiwanese investors are now arranging their trips to Catanduanes and the tie-up with the two Taiwan national universities were already formalized. The tandem expressed their deepest gratitude to the people of Taiwan who have warmly received them and have shown willingness to support and invest in the province of Catanduanes. (By: SALVADOR “BUDDY” ISORENA)
